The Independent

iBet: The next Aston Villa manager

Aston Villa have been reliably terrible this season, producing their worst every Premier League poin...

‘The things you have to do to throw a stick a long way’

I had to go inside to warm up as after 10 minutes outside I couldn’t feel my hands and I was shaking...

Top 14: Verdict on the season – part one

It’s time to pass verdict on each team’s season and to consider what lies ahead for them.

Lara retired whilst still at the top of his game, making three hundreds in his last 10 innings

Brian Lara: West Indies legend likes look of the 'latest Lara'

16 May 2012 12:00 AM

He sees hope for the future of the tourists, especially in batsman Darren Bravo. But, he tells Stephen Brenkley, there should be a shake-up in the batting order

Matt Prior arrives for a training session at Lord's yesterday

Prior back at start with the world in his hands

16 May 2012 12:00 AM

Five years on from debut, the England keeper has improved hugely – as a player and team man

The Indian Premier League has been hugely popular

BCCI to investigate IPL corruption claims

16 May 2012 12:00 AM

The Indian Premier League's council has suspended five players named by a sting operation alleging corruption, until an inquiry is conducted.

Investigation launched after allegations of corruption in the IPL

15 May 2012 10:35 AM

The Board of Control for Cricket in India have asked for footage from a television station alleging that spot fixing is occurring in the Indian Premier League.

JONNY BAIRSTOW: Test will be the Yorkshireman’s maiden first-class appearance at Lord’s

Bairstow: It's just another game for me

15 May 2012 12:00 AM

As Jonny Bairstow entered the hotel lobby on Sunday morning before going to play cricket he was beckoned. The National Selector himself wanted a word. Bairstow wondered what he could possibly want, which does not perhaps say a great deal for his deductive powers.

Jonny Bairstow (centre) has impressed for the Lions and his county

Dawning of a new era as England pick Jonny Bairstow

14 May 2012 12:00 AM

Yorkshire batsman gets nod ahead of Taylor to make debut in the first Test against West Indies

Seventy five years on, but there is no doubt that Denis Compton was the original king of style and cool. His grandson Nick is doing him proud

Stephen Brenkley: When Nick Compton made everyone feel good again

14 May 2012 12:00 AM

Compton, wouldn't you know it, was also a brilliant footballer who played for England during the war

Pipped at the post: David Collier missed out on the top job at the International Cricket Council

On the Front Foot: Can life ever be the same for spurned Lord's chief Collier?

13 May 2012 12:00 AM

Life at ECB Towers can return to normal. After weeks of uncertainty, nods, winks and, late in the day, actual interviews, it is now known that David Collier, chief executive of the England and Wales Cricket Board based at Lord's, will not be the new head of the International Cricket Council. Pipped at the post after the selection panel was split, Collier will now return to running English cricket, at which he has been extremely adept, rather than trying to sort out world cricket, which would have been to enter a nest of vipers. It will be intriguing to see, however, if life really can return to normal.

Untimely Bopara setback opens door for Bairstow

13 May 2012 12:00 AM

England will almost certainly havea new batsman for the start of the international summer on Thursday. Both Jonathan Bairstow and James Taylor have sound reasons for expecting the invitation to become the country's 652nd Test player, with Bairstow perhaps the selectors' preferred option.

Pulling power: Jonathan Trott has brought an air of reliability to the blue riband batting position at No 3

The run machine is now showing a human side

13 May 2012 12:00 AM

Jonathan Trott had such a prolific start to his Test career that he felt the burden of expectation weighing him down but he is already relishing a new Test summer

County Championship round-up: Dazzling Surrey denied

13 May 2012 12:00 AM

Worcestershire foiled Surrey's bid for an improbable win at New Road after the visitors, who had been bowled out for 113 in their first innings, stacked up 431 for 7 following on.

Confidence boost: England captain Andrew Strauss hit an undefeated 43

Notts frustrated as Strauss finds form

13 May 2012 12:00 AM

Nottinghamshire 423 & 174-7 Middlesex 300-9 & 87-0 (Match drawn)

England's James Taylor takes off down the crease on his way to a century yesterday

Taylor fits the bill for England as Bopara is hit by injury scare

12 May 2012 12:00 AM

West Indies 147 & 27-3 England Lions 341

Ollie Rayner raises his bat on reaching his century at Trent Bridge

County round-up: Nightwatchman has his day as Rayner hits unbeaten ton

12 May 2012 12:00 AM

Ollie Rayner already had membership of one fairly exclusive club after scoring a hundred on his first-class debut in 2006; yesterday at Trent Bridge he joined another by making a century in an innings he began as nightwatchman as Middlesex avoided the follow-on against Nottinghamshire.